Hymns

Description

Hymns, sub-titled Contemporary Hymn Solos performed on Trumpet and Flute, is an instrumental album by the American session musician, composer and producer Fletch Wiley of Sonlight fame (the early ’70s backup band of Andrae Crouch, which morphed into Koinonia in the beginning of the ’80s), released on Word Music in 1998. Solos and overdubs recorded by Steve Dady and Jeff Pitzer at Sunset Blvd Studios in Brentwood, Tennessee; with Fletch Wiley and David Winkler producing. Mixed by Steve Dady at Sunset Blvd Studios. Pre-session track preparation by Doug Sarrett at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville and Uno Mas Studio in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Featuring Fletch Wiley on trumpet, flute, and flugelhorn. Keyboard overdubs by Fletch Wiley and producer David Winkler. Guitar overdub on track 6 by Lee Anne Turner. Tracks 4 and 9 feature vocals by The Gary Bonner Singers.

Last heard of (by me, at least) as the Musical Director and producer of the worship group at the Houston Vineyard, the multi-talented Mr Wiley has dusted off his flute, trumpet and flugel horn, and recorded 10 hymn tunes ancient and modern (mostly the former), in a light, bright jazzy style that takes this above the usual run-of-the-mill muzak. Some of the arrangements are up-tempo, others are slower and more meditative; «Saviour Like A Shepherd Lead Us» is a nice slow one, with additional acoustic guitar from Lee Anne Turner, whilst «A Mighty Fortress» gets an almost Classic Rock treatment, with synthesised brass and strings and a strong beat to back Fletch’s flugel horn. Thoroughly pleasant, well played, well engineered and produced. [Trevor Kirk, Cross Rhythms, December 1999]

CD tracklist:

01. All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name
02. This Is My Father’s World
03. Take My Life And Let It Be
04. Nothing But The Blood
05. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
06. Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us
07. O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
08. Fairest Lord Jesus
09. Draw Me Nearer
10. For The Beauty Of The Earth

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Word Music.